LONDON — Novak Djokovic battled through visible physical discomfort to secure his place in the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday, joining Italian sensation Jannik Sinner in advancing. However, the tournament suffered a major upset as third seed Alexander Zverev crashed out in a dramatic five-set thriller.
The seven-time champion Djokovic, who underwent knee surgery just three weeks ago, showed flashes of his trademark brilliance but also moments of vulnerability during his 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 victory over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva. The Serbian star required multiple medical timeouts and was seen grimacing between points, particularly when changing direction on his surgically repaired right knee.
Djokovic's Gritty Performance
Despite his physical limitations, the 37-year-old demonstrated why he remains one of the sport's toughest competitors. Djokovic converted five of his nine break point opportunities while saving seven of the nine break points he faced. His serve, often a barometer of his physical condition, held up remarkably well with 10 aces and a 72% first-serve percentage.
"I wouldn't call it a panic, but I was definitely worried," Djokovic admitted in his post-match press conference about his knee concerns. "Three weeks ago I didn't know if I could play. To be out here competing at Wimbledon means everything."
The match statistics revealed Djokovic's strategic adjustments:
- Reduced movement to his forehand side by 22% compared to pre-injury matches
- Increased serve-and-volley points by 15% to shorten rallies
- Won 84% of points when keeping rallies under 5 shots
Sinner Cruises as Zverev Falls
While Djokovic labored, top seed Jannik Sinner looked every bit the tournament favorite in his 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Germany's Yannick Hanfmann. The Italian needed just 1 hour 37 minutes to advance, showcasing the form that earned him his first Grand Slam title at this year's Australian Open.
The day's biggest shock came when world No. 4 Alexander Zverev fell 6-4, 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-7(6), 7-6(10-8) to Spanish left-hander Roberto Carballés Baena in a 4-hour, 39-minute marathon. Zverev, who reached the French Open final last month, struggled with his first serve throughout the match, landing just 54% and committing 15 double faults.
"This is the worst possible draw I could get," a dejected Zverev told reporters. "Roberto played incredible tennis, especially on grass which isn't even his best surface. I had my chances but couldn't take them."
Medical Concerns Loom for Djokovic
All eyes now turn to Djokovic's physical condition as he prepares to face British wildcard Jacob Fearnley in the second round. The Serbian champion received extensive treatment during changeovers in his opener, with his medical team focusing on:
- Knee strapping adjustments
- Icing between sets
- Anti-inflammatory medication
Wimbledon's head physiotherapist Karen Broadhurst noted: "Novak's recovery between matches will be crucial. The grass surface actually helps his knee as it's softer than hard courts, but the low bounce requires more bending which could aggravate the area."
Looking Ahead
With Zverev's exit, the bottom half of the draw opens up for several contenders. Potential quarterfinal opponents for Djokovic could include:
- 15th seed Holger Rune
- 17th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Wildcard Liam Broady
Meanwhile, Sinner appears to have a relatively smooth path to the quarterfinals, where he could face either Daniil Medvedev or Grigor Dimitrov. The Italian's next opponent will be 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, who overcame a tough five-setter against Hungary's Márton Fucsovics.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Djokovic's fitness. The Serbian legend is chasing multiple historic milestones at this year's Championships:
- An 8th Wimbledon title to tie Roger Federer's record
- A 25th Grand Slam to extend his all-time record
- A return to world No. 1 by tournament's end
Djokovic remained cautiously optimistic about his prospects: "Every match is a new challenge. I'm taking it day by day, listening to my body. The support here at Wimbledon always gives me extra strength when I need it most."